It’s time for Friday Fictioneers, when writers from around the world post 100-word stories based on a photo prompt provided on Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog. This week’s photo, as well as the amazing sculpture, are by Claire Fuller.
You can read other Friday Fictioneers’ work by clicking the link that appears below my story.
Enjoy!
White as a Ghost
by Jan Brown
A rustling in the back yard woke me from a fitful sleep. A weekend of moving and unpacking had left me both exhausted and wired. I ventured out to the deck, but fog obscured my view of the property.
The fog evaporated in mere seconds, leaving two wispy spirals of white mist. I pulled my robe tight around me and walked across the yard. The mists dissipated into the earth under the willow tree, leaving behind only an outline in the dirt.
I dug with my hands till I reached them: the previous owners, stark white, mummified in limestone dust.
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Terrifically creepy!
Thank you! For this purpose, “creepy” is good….
Yes ma’am creepy is very good.
So many macabre stories this week! I love this Jan – brilliantly goulish.
Thank you, Claire. And thanks for the amazing sculpture/photo!
Now you know why you got it for a knockdown price! Very scary, loved the image of the fog forming two wispy spirals. Well done.
Ha, ha, not quite the bargain property! Thanks for your kind comments, Sandra.
Yikes! Was the first word that came to my mind as I finished this.
That’s one way of looking at the prompt. Well done!
Thank you, Parul!
OMG.. That would be a creepy and terrifying sight for her.. And I liked the mention of fog in the story, gives a nice touch! Great story.
Thank you very much!
you set the scene so well.
Thank you!
Did the narrator find the previous owners from the outline alone or did he or she put them there and just go back to look again? I liked your title, too.
janet
Thanks, Janet! I imagined that the narrator followed the “ghosts” of the prior owners and discovered their shallow grave.
Dear Jan,
There are things I wouldn’t want to find buried in my back yard: old toys, old bones, previous owners, etc. A creepy, well written take.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks, Rochelle! The prompt was brilliant–amazing artwork from Claire. And I loved your twins story!
This was great. I really enjoyed your take on the photo, thank you, Penny 🙂
Thank you, Penny!
I love it. Another writer who comes from the dark side. Really good story from the prompt..
Thank you, Lindsay!
Lovely writing – I loved the way you used the fog. A very creepy story. I’m not sure I would have wanted to dig them up though!
Thank you! I enjoyed your story as well. Highly entertaining!
That would make me not want to stay there anymore. Moving and unpacking everything is a pain in the arse but ghosts and bodies on your property is enough to keep you awake at night. I’d be gone in a heartbeat. Great visuals and awesome story!
It’s not sort of housewarming gift one expects 😉
Thank you for your comments!
A creepy find, Jan. Very well done. http://readinpleasure.wordpress.com/2013/02/01/fridayfictioneers-janus
Thank you! Lovely to see you here!
Lovely writing ending with a stab in the gut. Yes this is what I expect… Your stories never dissapoint me.
Thank you, Bjorn! I’m glad the story made an impact. Thank you for the kind words.
Dear Jan,
A creepy tale. Will she be moving out soon?
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks, Doug. Yes, i think she will be putting the house back on the market!
Believe it or not as you wish, but my house in France was haunted by a previous owner. According to the deeds, she died in Paris. But who knows? I love your creepy tale, the wispy ghosts who wanted to be found. Your character had the necessary sensitivity. I like stories about houses and the past that they can sometimes encapsulate.
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m so glad this story resonated with you. I enjoyed your story very much also!
Thank you for reading. Ann
Information you need BEFORE you buy!
Yeah, whatever happened to full disclosure :-). Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a great weekend!
😉
All right, that’s creepy! What a housewarming present. I wonder what happened to them?
An excellent question! Maybe it’s the start of a mystery….
Jan – Loved the story. Glad the owner found limestone and not skeletons. What a thing to discover on a spooky night in the backyard.
Yes, she was brave to wander out in the back yard to investigate! Thanks for visiting my blog, Joe.
Spooky stuff here. Great job.
Thank you, Shirley!
yet another scary story. well done. Thanks for sharing
Thank you very much!